This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8054053.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
EU official claims Lithuania win Lithuania gets first woman head
(about 4 hours later)
European Union budget commissioner Dalia Grybauskaite has claimed victory in Lithuania's presidential election. Dalia Grybauskaite has been elected Lithuania's first female president, according to official results.
"I am grateful for the responsibility invested in me," she said, after Sunday's first round of the vote. "I am grateful for the responsibility invested in me," said Ms Grybauskaite, the European Union budget commissioner.
With some 36% of the vote counted, she had 68% backing, according to preliminary results. Turnout was just more than 50%. With 96% of votes counted, she won 68% of the votes. Turnout at 51% was just above the threshold needed to give her an outright first round win.
To avoid a run-off a candidate needs 50% of the vote with at least 50% of the eligible voters taking part. Her nearest challenger, Social Democrat lawmaker Algirdas Butkevicius came a distant second with 12% of the vote.
If turnout is below 50%, a candidate needs backing from a third of all eligible voters. Seven candidates contested the poll which was held amid widespread concern about the economic downturn in the Baltic state.
The second round - if required - would be held on 7 June. Under the Lithuanian constitution presidents have limited influence over economic policies.
If confirmed, Ms Grybauskaite, aged 53, would become Lithuania's first ever female president. Though as president Ms Grybauskaite, whose inauguration is set for 12 July, she will have the right to veto the budget.
The first round of the polls was held amid widespread concern about the economic downturn in the Baltic state. The president's main power lies in foreign policy and here she has promised to be less confrontational, especially towards Russia.
Seven candidates contested the elections.
Social Democrat lawmaker Algirdas Butkevicius, Ms Grybauskaite's nearest challenger, was running a distant second with 12% of the vote.
Final figures are expected later on Sunday.
'Level-headed''Level-headed'
Ms Grybauskaite, the EU's tough-talking budget commissioner who has a black belt in karate, was running as an independent. President-elect Grybauskaite, the EU's tough-talking budget commissioner who has a black belt in karate, ran as an independent.
In the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country Dalia GrybauskaiteIn the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country Dalia Grybauskaite
Lithuania's crashing economy has dominated what little policy debate this presidential election has generated, the BBC's Adam Easton says.Lithuania's crashing economy has dominated what little policy debate this presidential election has generated, the BBC's Adam Easton says.
Ms Grybauskaite has been critical of the way the economy has been handled by governments in the past.Ms Grybauskaite has been critical of the way the economy has been handled by governments in the past.
"Our local political establishment is so boring for people, and they want to see some new faces," she told reporters after voting in the capital Vilnius."Our local political establishment is so boring for people, and they want to see some new faces," she told reporters after voting in the capital Vilnius.
"In the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country," Ms Grybauskaite added."In the difficult times I can give my experience, my knowledge to my country," Ms Grybauskaite added.
She is widely seen as being a level-headed caretaker and has also avoided being tainted by domestic scandals, our correspondent says.She is widely seen as being a level-headed caretaker and has also avoided being tainted by domestic scandals, our correspondent says.
After enjoying years of impressive growth since it joined the European Union in 2004, Lithuania is experiencing double digit economic contraction and rising unemployment.After enjoying years of impressive growth since it joined the European Union in 2004, Lithuania is experiencing double digit economic contraction and rising unemployment.
Frustration turned into violence in January when demonstrators smashed windows in the parliament building in Vilnius.Frustration turned into violence in January when demonstrators smashed windows in the parliament building in Vilnius.